The Car Guys

DETROIT MUSCLE: It’s the car you wish you had. [Photo by Scott Corbridge]

NORTHGLENN, Colo. — American muscle, foreign power, tuner and exotics; no matter the type of car they can fix it. Northglenn Auto Repair, 11450 Huron St., isn’t your average auto shop, they give quality a number one priority.

Mike Smart is the man for the job as he takes any job given to him and doesn’t stop until the job is finished. Northglenn Auto is a family owned business that has turned into a quality shop that won’t cut corners or charge an insane amount for a little fix.

Now in their seventh year of business, the garage has had its fair share of projects that have taken time to complete. There has been a wide variety of cars that have come into the shop that every car lover would dream to work on, ranging from a 1970 Chevy Chevelle — to a 1968 Chevy Camaro, both of which have become long term projects for Smart.

“They started out as just a quick fix to get them on the road, but now after a year of work, I want to get them just right,” Smart says.

Smart was dedicated to both cars, and wants to ensure everything is up to his standards before putting them on the road.

For the guys over at the auto shop, you would think that they each would have their own personal favorites to work on right?

Wrong.

“I don’t think I have one. I work on too many,” Smart says without hesitation.

Spending time in the shop, it was apparent that each car had to be fixed to the exact specifications with the way that Smart and the others know how. There’s one thing that Smart said was his biggest benefit working at the shop, “I get to build my own toys.”

Along with Smart, Chris Clark also takes pride in his work, as he has been working with Smart from the time the shop opened.

“Couldn’t ask for a better job. He’s a great dude and I couldn’t ask for a better boss,” Clark says. Clark and Smart make the environment a friendly place where the customer is welcome to chat and even have a doughnut while the guys work; not many garages can say that. Unlike Smart, Clark has his own personal favorite on what to work on.

“I’d say the Chevelle. I’ve put a majority of work on that,” he says.

Although working on some of the older cars are easier to work on, the same can’t necessarily be said for the newer versions that come in.

“You win some, lose some. Some of the technology is ridiculous…as long as you keep up with the technology as far as being able to scan these cars.”

But yet, Clark still does his part to ensure that the job gets done, similar to Smart. Overall, the atmosphere over at the auto garage is brought down to one word. Relaxed.

“Our one goal here is our reputation and customer satisfaction,” Smart says. “That kind of rules everything we do. When it comes down to it, you could ask for a better goal in mind when dealing with something that you put more cash into it more then you’d like.”

About Scott Corbridge

Hey, my names Scott and I'm a big sports fan and an avid Broncos and Nuggets guy. I love the outdoors and writing on my own time. I hope that after college, I can become a sports journalist covering certain teams or sports; I want to write mainly like Woody Page, Mike Kliz, or Rick Riely.